Delivering quality screening and audiology services for babies

The National Screening Unit (NSU) has recently completed the second audit of individual District Health Board (DHB) delivery of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme (UNHSEIP).

Findings from the audit suggest that, overall, DHBs are delivering high quality newborn hearing screening and diagnostic audiology services. Good systems are in place across many of the DHBs to support the effective delivery of services, with governance and management structures to ensure quality. The audit identified examples of good practice in place at many DHBs. The NSU plans to share these examples across DHBs to help support all providers in developing effective systems for service delivery.

This is the second audit of the UNHSEIP and focused on DHB systems and structures in place which support effective delivery of newborn hearing screening across the pathway of care. DHBs were assessed against the national policy and quality standards for the programme which outline expectations for service delivery and assist DHBs in providing high quality services that support achievement of the programme’s aims.

Nearly half of DHBs were assessed as having few or minor corrective actions and, overall, many demonstrated a significant improvement or maintenance of adherence to national standards for service delivery.

Moira McLeod, Programme Leader for the UNHSEIP, reported that this was an excellent result for the programme and DHBs, and demonstrates the hard work and commitment of DHBs to ensuring they provide quality newborn hearing screening and diagnostic audiology services that help support better outcomes for babies.

Of particular note is Hutt Valley DHB, who achieved an impressive 100 per cent compliance against the standards being assessed. The success of the UNHSEIP service at Hutt Valley DHB is underpinned by an experienced Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator and Lead Audiologist, who work closely to ensure effective service delivery. This is demonstrated through the strong operational systems in place which support effective day-to-day running of the service, alongside good governance structures which provide the leadership and oversight necessary to ensure quality. The team make good use of their performance data to help drive quality initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, with recent initiatives implemented to address barriers to access.

The UNHSEIP service at Hutt Valley DHB is a good example of effective delivery of newborn hearing screening and diagnostic audiology services which achieves programme indicators, meets the needs of their population and which ensures that the programme is able to meet its aims. Congratulations to the Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator, the Lead Audiologist, and all the UNHSEIP staff who work hard to deliver excellence in the UNHSEIP.